Comments on: How to Play the Cello

on 6/27/2007 Beware of teachers who want beginning students to "figure out" what works. There is a system of tried and true method of playing the cello or any instrument for that matter. These basic skills must be imparted to the student, otherwise, money is just being thrown away. Whereas, a student should be encouraged to think, it is just as important to learn what works best and why (principles involved).

on 6/26/2007 Get a good teacher who has concert experience. Experience is vital. Don't get someone who's too inexpensive. If they're too cheap...beware of ulterior motives. Also, if they're cheap that means they're not a professional. Really, you need an expert.

Practice so long as you have good concentration. If you work after you're too tired to really think then you're just putting in time. Don't do that!

Don't practice for a half hour or an hour. Part of your mind is on the clock.

on 6/26/2007 Get a real teacher with commercial/concert experience. Avoid getting some kid who lacks experience. Experience is everything. o one has expertise without it.

Avoid anyone who is too inexpensive. They may be predators. Someone charging $20 a half hour or so cannot be trusted.

Practice every day. Don't practice for a particular period of time because then part of your mind will be on the clock. Work until you feel your attention drifting. If that's an hour, great! If that's 15 minutes, fine. Don't just put in time.

on 3/26/2007 cello sound good when you know how to play

on 3/26/2007 playing the cello is very hard

on 2/12/2007 stringgearnews.blogspot.com

Good blog about cello, cello playing, instrument reviews.

I would suggest renting to start

on 8/29/2006 A teacher is essential, but it's important to find a good one. If you have a teacher with whom you are not happy or feel no progress, keep looking as you are learning by practicing what you have already learned.

When you find the right teacher you will know it. Follow your intuition with your relationship with the instrument and the teacher as well.

on 8/8/2006 If you don't like it, chances are its not your type of instrument. You should play an instrument you like to play, don't force yourself to play if you don't want to.

on 8/8/2006 There is no doubt that a good teacher will speed progress on the cello, but lessons are expensive. I believe that with a little information and hard work a budding cellist can overcome any lack of instruction. Remember that an average student will never become brilliant despite the best teachings, but a brilliant student will never become average despite the worst!

on 7/7/2006 Definitely get a teacher if you want to do more than "fiddle around" with the cello. If you aren't up for paying a pro, a promising high school cellist should be able to teach you (as a beginner) for a small fee.

Another main ingredient to playing the cello is confidence. It increases your tone quality. If you play timidly, your sound will be weak. Besides, people who don't know music will be more impressed if you don't look afraid of your instrument.

on 3/31/2006 For a first instrument, it does tremendously help if you have an experienced teacher or friend or anyone to help you understand the mathematics of music (which is similar with most every instrument). This is separate from understanding how to play an instrument- which is more like learning to dance- just studying and imitating the movements of others is a good way to start- you don't need to pay someone for that- if you are familiar with any music. Tell your brain to shut up and let your fingers do what they know and feel is right. If you listen to a lot of music, then your ear should know what an instrument should sound like. When it doesn't sound or feel right, then you are obviously doing something wrong. Have fun and experiment - be patient and know that your overall purpose is to create beauty- not to show off. With that mindset, you'll become better, faster. That way it is never discouraging and always beautiful- which is what music is all about, right? People don't like to listen to a technically advanced zombie- they'd rather hear music played from the soul-which sounds amazing at any level of difficulty.

on 2/21/2006 "No teacher necessary"? Thus speaks one who probably thinks they're good at the instruments they play, because they've never had a teacher around to show them what they're doing wrong! (And now their bad habits will be deeply ingrained.)

There is no question, you need a teacher. The cello is not easy.

on 1/25/2006 You don't need a teacher to learn an instrument, most of the greats didn't use teachers. I am a self-taught classical guitarist, mandolins, drummer and a few others. I've never even talked to a music teacher for tips.

on 1/25/2006 Once you can play a few tunes you are good enough to join some kind of orchestra or band (especially if you're still at school). Join! You will learn loads about reading and playing music that you'd never achieve on your own, and meet lots of people with a similar interest. This is useful at university and when you move to a new town. Cellists are normally in demand, so get out there!

on 1/9/2006 Remember to listen to the sound of the cello when you first get it. It means you won't go out of pitch when you play. Always put rosin on the bow to make it have a sharper sound and not so muffled. Vibrato: Take your left thumb off the neck, or your fingers will get cramped and they will hurt. Shake your hand, mainly your finger only on minums. I remember when I first started the cello, I was baffled on how to do vibrato, now I'm excellent. All I did was I kept trying, I practiced 1-2 hours a day and I kept my cello in good condition. Also try to get your teacher(s) to allow you to have more time to practice with them.